Numeros n-First

Electric scooters have become quite a popular choice for urban commuters, and Bengaluru-based Numeros Motors wants a piece of that action with its latest offering, the n-First. Targeted primarily for women and urban riders, the n-First is aimed for those looking for a stylish scooter. With its moped-like stance, large 16-inch wheels, and quirky circular headlight, it’s unlike anything else on the road. But beneath that funky design lies a question worth answering: Is the n-First just another eye-catching commuter, or does it actually have the substance to back its style?

You will do a double take when you first lay eyes on the Numeros n-First. It looks radical and unconventional, something you don’t come across often in the Indian scooter space. While it shares a few familiar cues with other Numeros models, like the long side profile and tail section, the front end feels fresh due to its distinctive circular headlight. However, the rear end feels unfinished and out of place when compared to the front end due to its design being more utility-oriented. This means that the scooter looks completely different from both the front and the rear. The overall design language is unique, giving the n-First an identity of its own, and it’s bound to grab attention wherever it goes.

Despite being a scooter, the large 16-inch alloy wheels lend it a moped-like stance. The scooter is available in two colour schemes: Traffic Red and Pure White, the latter being my preferred option.

For the accessible price point, the overall build quality of the n-First feels solid. The panels are neatly fitted with no noticeable gaps, and the finish remains consistent across the bodywork. Even the switchgear feels tactile. That said, the buttons on the right-hand switch cluster are tightly positioned, making it a bit tricky to operate. This led to frequent wrong inputs than the one I intended to.

Drum brakes at both ends and a combined braking system (CBS) handle the braking duties on the n-First, where pressing the rear brake lever also activates the front brake. While this helps on loose surfaces, the lack of a front disc brake is definitely felt. The front drum brake doesn’t inspire much confidence and lacks the required braking power. This means that you will have to heavily rely on the rear brake to slow down the scooter rapidly.

The n-First gets a simple LCD instrument console that’s clean, easy to read, and bright enough even under sunlight. It gets three riding modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport, with a dedicated button to switch between them on the go.

However, only the Sport mode is displayed on the screen, while Eco mode is indicated by a telltale light. If neither is active, you’re in Normal mode. Each time you restart the scooter, it resets to Normal.

Regenerative braking also comes as standard, but its effect is very mild. It feels more like coasting than actually slowing the scooter down. While there’s no built-in navigation, the scooter does come with a sturdy phone mount that securely holds your device. It’s a simple touch but genuinely useful for city commuting.

Practicality isn’t one of the n-First’s strengths. The removable battery and charging cable occupy most of the space beneath the rider’s seat. The pillion seat has a very small storage compartment, just enough to hold a wallet, while the under-floorboard area gets a tiny space that can fit a half-litre water bottle at best. It also gets a small cubbyhole on the apron, but beyond that, there’s hardly any usable storage anywhere on the scooter.

The floorboard is narrow too. While my size-11 boots did fit on the floorboard, keeping them comfortably inside the floorboard area required conscious effort. Naturally resting your feet tends to push them outwards, making it less comfortable on longer rides. There’s a luggage hook provided, but it sits too close to your knees and hanging any kind of bag will interfere with your legs while riding.

The riding posture of the n-First is relaxed and upright. Riders above 5’5” will find it easy to flat-foot thanks to its narrow profile and accessible seat height. At 6 feet tall, I did find the handlebar brushing against my knees during tight U-turns, though.

The seat is quite firm, like sitting on a piece of wood. A slightly softer foam would have been better, considering the scooter is meant for urban commutes. 

The pillion seat is surprisingly generous. It’s wide, well-padded, and spacious enough for two tall riders to sit comfortably with room to spare. The footpegs are positioned at a natural height, avoiding any awkward crouch. Spending time as a pillion won’t be a challenge, making this one of the n-First’s better aspects.

Powering the n-First is a mid-mounted motor which makes 2.5kW (3.4PS) of peak power and 34Nm through a chain drive. The throttle response is smooth and predictable, though there’s a slight delay when you abruptly open or close the throttle, something you’ll have to adapt to.

Once in motion, the response feels crisp and immediate, making it easy to dart through gaps in traffic. The three riding modes offer identical acceleration, but the top speed varies between them. Overall, it’s tuned well for daily commuting, offering just enough punch for city conditions.

With a claimed top speed of 70kmph in Power mode, the n-First clearly feels more at home within city limits. It’s not meant for highway cruising and struggles to maintain higher speeds continuously.

Regenerative braking is present but very subtle, making the scooter feel like it’s coasting when you roll off the throttle. It’s best used for short-distance commutes and not open-road rides.

We tested the top-spec i-Max+ variant, which gets a 3kWh removable battery pack. Numeros claims a range of 109km in Eco mode. In our real-world testing, after riding around 25km across different modes, the battery dropped to 65 percent, translating to an estimated practical range of around 65-70km in the real world on a full charge. 

The company claims a charging time of 7-8 hours using the supplied 3-pin 15A home charger. Since the battery is removable, you can charge it indoors if your parking space doesn’t have a charging socket. However, at 19kg, the battery is quite heavy, making frequent removal inconvenient.

The scooter’s battery pack is positioned beneath the rider’s seat, ensuring good weight balance. It uses a telescopic front fork and dual shock absorbers. The n-First rides on 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in TVS Eurogrip tyres.

At 117kg, the n-First feels agile and easy to manoeuvre in dense traffic. It’s light on its feet and changes direction with minimal effort. Despite the narrow tyres, grip levels are more than adequate for typical Indian road conditions. The scooter feels predictable and manageable, ideal for city commuting.

Since our time with the scooter was limited to Bengaluru’s busy roads, we couldn’t evaluate its high-speed manners. A longer test ride will help us determine how stable it feels on open highways.

Similarly, our brief urban ride didn’t offer an opportunity to explore its cornering dynamics. We’ll reserve our judgment on that until a full-fledged road test.

Ride comfort is where the n-First genuinely impresses. It handles rough roads surprisingly well, soaking up potholes and bumps without unsettling the rider. On smooth tarmac, it feels stable and effortless. Even with a pillion, the ride remains composed and cushioned.

The large 16-inch alloy wheels play a significant role here, helping it glide over uneven surfaces while maintaining stability and balance. It’s one of the more comfortable small EVs for daily commutes.

Numeros says the n-First is primarily targeted at women riders, and in that regard, it does fit the bill, it’s light, approachable, and simple to use. It looks unique, rides comfortably, and performs well enough for everyday commutes.

However, the lack of meaningful storage, limited braking performance, and modest real-world range hold it back. The n-First does a few things really well (ride comfort and quality) but misses the mark on others (features, practicality, and performance consistency). For that reason, it’s hard to recommend it universally, though it could suit those seeking a stylish city runabout.

The Numeros n-First is available in three variants: Max, i-Max, and i-Max+. The base and mid-spec variants get a 2.5kWh battery pack, with the i-Max offering smartphone connectivity. The top-spec i-Max+ variant, which we tested, adds a larger 3kWh battery, better performance, and three riding modes.

Numeros n-First vs BGauss RUV 350
If you want a scooter with similar large wheels but better practicality and features, the BGauss RUV 350 makes for a solid alternative. It feels more premium, though it does come at a higher cost.

Numeros n-First vs Vida VX2
The Vida VX2 offers a comparable claimed range and top speed, while being more practical. If you prefer a conventional-looking electric scooter from an established manufacturer, the Vida VX2 makes a strong case.